Segments (Service Revenues And Sales And After-Tax Earnings By Business Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Service Revenues and Sales	$ 352,943	$ 330,918
After-tax Earnings	27,123	26,636
Net income	20,445	18,101
VITAS [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Service Revenues and Sales	260,847	235,673
After-tax Earnings	19,627	18,125
Roto-Rooter [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Service Revenues and Sales	92,096	95,245
After-tax Earnings	7,496	8,511
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income	$ (6,678)	$ (8,535)